Forward Rapid Rotation Shiftwork in USAF Air Traffic Controllers: Sleep, Activity, Fatigue and Mood Analyses

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Forward Rapid Rotation Shiftwork in USAF Air Traffic Controllers: Sleep, Activity, Fatigue and Mood Analyses

T. D. Luna / J. French / J. L. Mitcha / K. J. Neville

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the shift-specific sleep, general activity levels, mood and cognitive performance of air traffic controllers (ATCs) working a forward 2-2-2 rapid rotation shift schedule. ATCs recorded their sleep, oral temperature and subjective fatigue levels, took a computerized cognitive performance battery (N=13) and completed the Profile of Mood States questionnaire (POMS)(N=12). Actigraphs were used to objectively monitor general activity levels and score sleep and the restlessness of scored sleep (N=9). Analyses were made on the basis of duty shift, post-shift, day of shift, and duty location. There was significantly more actigraph scored sleep, subjectively reported sleep and subjectively measured fatigue and confusion for the ATCs while they were on duty on the night-shift. The night-shift was also associated with decreased vigor and general activity levels. Significantly more sleep was reported following the first day on each of the three shifts than following the second. Significantly more sleep was reported and scored by actigraph following the swing-shift than following the day-shift. A comparison group of non ATC day-workers reported more post-shift sleep than the ATCs. The radar approach ATCs reported greater confusion and less vigor than the tower ATCs. Insufficient trials were available for direct performance analysis.